Skibber Memorial Run to benefit Torres family

Officer Ruben Torres of the Stroud Area Regional Police Department was remembered by Chief William Parrish as "a person who projected a sense of competence and profesionalism, but there was a sense of the human being behind the badge." Torres died July 7 after a battle with cancer, leaving behind his wife, JoAnn, of 21 years and 11 children (six of whom are adopted).

Officer Ruben Torres of the Stroud Area Regional Police Department was remembered by Chief William Parrish as "a person who projected a sense of competence and profesionalism, but there was a sense of the human being behind the badge." Torres died July 7 after a battle with cancer, leaving behind his wife, JoAnn, of 21 years and 11 children (six of whom are adopted).

Torres was known to treat everyone with respect. He helped start SARPD's motorcycle unit as well as the department's crash reconstruction unit. Everyone in the community has shown gratitude and support for the department and Torres' family. It is a great loss to both.

Many in the community are taking up donations to help the family. On Aug. 24, the sixth annual Shane Skibber Memorial Ride will be held. Skibber died in a motorcycle accident in 2008. Proceeds from the run will benefit the Monroe/Pike Child Safety Seat program and Officer Torres' family.

Registration begins at 10 a.m. at Pocono Harley-Davidson at 4300 Manor Drive in Stroudsburg. Kickstands will go up at noon. The ride will end at Barley Creek Brewing Co. pavilion at 1774 Sullivan Trail in Tannersville between 2 and 7 p.m. The registration fee is $25. There will be live entertainment, food and cash prizes. For more info, call Danielle Skibber at 242-7450. The Shane Skibber Memorial Ride can be found on Facebook.